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“Sutton, I never thought I’d be the one to say this, but we can’t screw the ground rules. We had them for the same reason we had theSutton Doesn’t Go On the Field During a Fightrule.”
“Look how that worked out.” She plants her hands on her hips and stares me down from across the deck. “I broke that one already. Max, I can’t even go to the market and have fun because of the ‘image’ of shirking my suspension or whatever nonsense company line Charlie was spouting, so let’s drop therules. Nico already knows. And I don’t want to keep you like a secret. I can’t.”
“I appreciate that Sutton, I do.” I stand up and intercept her pacing, grasping her biceps in my hands and stilling her movements. “And I said from the very beginning that I don’t want you to be my dirty little secret, but I also don’t want you losing your job because of me. That call made it very clear to me that if we were caught together, I’m not the one the team would be worried about. So let me protect you in this small way. That original ground rule of nothing on team property should stay in place.”
“Ugh,” she presses her forehead against my chest with a groan. “I hate it when you’re right.”
“I know, Duckling,” I chuckle, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. “I know.”
I should be starting tonight’s game. After the Anaheim incident they called up a young pitcher from the minor leagues to take my place. I remember being in his position, a lifetime ago. I was called up for the second game of a day/night double header; they needed a young arm and didn’t want to throw off the rotation. It’s what we do.
My major league debut was the worst loss of my career; I went an inning and a third, giving up six runs on as many hits. I was on a bus back to Tacoma before the game was official. As the kid takes his place on the mound, I can see the nerves on his face, can practically feel his anxiety myself. His first pitch is a little wobbly, and his first batter reaches first on a walk, but soon he regains his control and has a better first inning than I did all those years ago.
Sutton is settled into the couch cushion beside me, my traitorous cat curled up and purring in her lap.
“You can breathe,” she whispers, reaching over and uncurling my hand from the fist I’ve made, twining our fingers together and raising the back of my hand to her lips, pressing the softest of kisses there. “He’s off to a great start.”
He is off to a great start. He’s lucky to have gotten the call, to be stepping into my place in the rotation. I don’t have a choice in missing this start, and the next, but I’m reminded that I’m not irreplaceable. If I let my contract expire, as it’s going to at the end of this season, there will be younger pitchers, younger arms, that can take my place.
Sutton’s head drops to my shoulder, her hand on Loretta’s head stilling, her fingers in mine relaxing as she dozes off. The front door opens and closes with a soft click and Elise lifts her hand in a brief wave before making her way down the stairs to her apartment. I could volunteer at her school. Or coach baseball. Or just stay home, and be here when Sutton gets home from a long road trip. Sit in the family and friends seats in the stadium while she coaches.
Imay not be irreplaceable, but this? I look down at Sutton as she shifts beside me, eyelids fluttering in her sleep, a soft snore escaping.Thisis irreplaceable.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
It’s a Love Story
SUTTON
After our dayat the market, Max and I decided itwouldbe best to keep a low profile for the rest of my suspension. We spent the last few days kicking around at home with Loretta and Elise. Max and I took walks together in the mornings, drank coffee on the deck, and for a few days we acted like the outside world didn’t exist.
Until this morning.
Max finds me on the deck and hands me a steaming mug of coffee before dropping a soft kiss on the top of my head. I love those kisses. To look at Maxwell Harrison – with all his tattoos and scruff and morning-messy hair, his whole gruff and grumpy exterior – you wouldn’t expect soft and tender touches. I consider myself lucky to know this side of Maxwell Harrison.
“It’s your last day of suspension,” he says, kicking his legs up next to mine on the deck railing. “And it’s a rare Saturday off for me. I wondered if you would like to come with me for a few hours?”
“Where are we going?” I ask, trying to play coy but my curiosity gets the better of me.
“That’s a surprise,” he says. “And I’d prefer if we keep this as low profile as possible.”
“Okay…” curiosity turns into suspicion but I agree anyway and soon find myself with Max, walking the aisles of the nearby pet store, filling our carts with dog and cat food, toys, treats, and kitty litter. He still hasn’t told me what we’re doing with all of this, but I can tell that he has something up his sleeve.
“Welcome to Bainbridge Animal Shelter,” A perky young woman greets us as we enter the nondescript, red brick building in an older part of town. “How can I help you?”
“I’m here to see Sam,” Max says. “Tell him it’s an old friend from home.”
She nods and picks up the phone on her desk, dialing an extension and connecting with the mysterious Sam.
“Dr. Henderson, you have an old friend from home here to see you?” She pauses, nods a few times before throwing a smile at Maxwell. “You can go on back. You know where to go.”
I follow Max through a door and down a long hallway lined with kennels. Various breeds of dogs on one side, and cats on the other, until we come to a small office in the back corner of the building. Max knocks once on the door before letting himself inside.
“Max!” The man in the office, tall, with dark hair that he’s clearly run his hands through a few times, takes off his glasses and stands to greet Max with a massive hug. “It’s good to see you! I’m sorry you’re suspended again, but if it means a surprise visit, I’ve got a list of guys you can plunk next time.”
The men share a laugh before Sam’s intense, dark eyes scrutinize me. I’m not exactly a shy woman, the nature of my job doesn’t allow for it, but as Sam looks at me with unspoken questions in his eyes, I find myself wanting to hidebehind Max.
“Sutton Davis,” his lips hitch at the corners, “I’m glad he finally brought you to see the place. Let me give you a tour.”
